WASHINGTON, D.C.— Growth Energy, the nation’s leading biofuels trade association, today filed formal comments urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to swiftly allow for permanent year-round sales of E15 in eight Midwest states. The comments address EPA’s proposed response to Midwest governors seeking equal treatment of E10 and E15 fuels under federal Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limits – a change that would extend access to cleaner, more affordable biofuel blends.
“For motorists, the value proposition of E15 is clear,” wrote Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Growth Energy. “It gives consumers an additional choice at the pump that allows an additional pathway to market for homegrown ethanol.”
In the letter, Bliley also highlighted E15’s advantages in terms of enhancing U.S. energy security and decreasing volatility in the American fuel market. “Reliance on petroleum energy sources can lead to substantial swings in fuel prices, as seen during the 2022 summer driving season as prices skyrocketed in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and other factors,” he said. “During this period, E15 provided consumers with a significantly lower-cost fuel option at the pump, with savings of $0.16/gallon nationwide and up to $0.96/gallon in certain locations. If E15 were to replace E10 on a nationwide basis, consumer spending on motor fuel would decrease by $20.6 billion.”
Bliley also emphasized that EPA must act quickly, given that the agency has already missed a key deadline established by the Clean Air Act.
“EPA should mitigate its violations of the Clean Air Act timing requirements by promptly finalizing the proposed regulations with an effective date as soon as practicable,” added Bliley. “Further unlawful delay would continue to harm consumers, air quality, and the climate. In the interim, it is critical that EPA immediately issue an emergency one-psi waiver. This action would provide relief, flexibility, and certainty in the fuel markets as we are seeing continued high gasoline prices in the petitioning states.”
A full copy of Bliley’s comments is available here.